Sydney Roosters set to offer Michael Jennings NRL lifeline after doping ban

A former Sydney Roosters premiership winner is set for a surprise NRL lifeline after his career was thought to be over after a doping ban.

Michael Jennings is set to get a train and trial deal. Photo: Mark Evans

The Sydney Roosters are set to offer former premiership winning centre Michael Jennings a career lifeline on a train and trial contract for 2024 after his three year doping ban.

The Daily Telegraph reported the Roosters are set to offer 35-year-old Jennings a chance to resurrect his NRL career three years after he last played for the Eels in 2020.

The Roosters are well stocked at centre with Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii the starting pair, but both are entering the final years of their deals and Jennings could play a role if injuries strike in the outside backs.

Jaxson Paulo (Sea Eagles), Paul Momirovski (Leeds Rhinos) and Corey Allan have both left the Roosters after 2023, which has opened up some squad spots out wide.

Jennings wants to return to rugby league and finish his career on his own terms.

Jennings was originally suspended on October 9, 2020 after testing positive on a drug test.

His provisional suspension eventually saw Jennings’ contract with the Eels, ended in May of 2021.

Michael Jennings won a premiership with the Roosters in 2013.

On October 15 in 2021, Jennings accepted a three-year ban (backdated to 2020) from playing rugby league for doping.

Trent Robinson who coached Jennings for three seasons including a title winning campaign in 2013 is open to giving Jennings a train and trial deal for 2024.

However, Jennings faced other off-field issues during his time away from the game and the NRL are yet to rubberstamp his return.

Train and trial deals allow players to train full-time with the NRL squad on approximately $1000 per week, but not play NRL until Round 11.

Michael Jennings last played in the NRL in 2020.

However, clubs can receive special dispensation from the NRL if injuries or suspension prevent a club from naming the required amount of players.

Jennings has scored 154 tries in 298 games for the Panthers, Roosters and Eels since his debut in 2007 and played 18 Origins for the Blues and 19 Tests for Australia and Tonga.

Should his return to the NRL with the Roosters get the green light, Jennings has the chance to pass the 300-game mark at the back end of the season.

Originally published as Sydney Roosters set to offer Michael Jennings NRL lifeline after doping ban